In response to DEA Chief Chuck Rosenberg’s comments calling medical marijuana a “joke,” advocates for the medicinal drug have delivered a petition signed by over 100,000 people calling for the chief’s resignation.

the DEA chief made the comments three weeks ago during a briefing with reporters where he argued that there was no proven medicinal benefits to smoking marijuana. Those calling for his resignation argue that “it’s simply unacceptable for the Obama administration’s top drug official to make comments that are contrary to what science and doctors say about medical marijuana.”

The advocates shared the many ways they have been personally benefited by medical marijuana including a veteran with PTSD who experienced relief from anxiety and suicidal thoughts while smoking medical marijuana.

“There is nothing funny about suicidal thoughts,” Thompson said. “Using medical marijuana not only directly helps with my medical condition, but it has the added effect of making me a better father and husband.”

Seven members of congress have also joined the fight against Chief Rosenberg by sending a letter to President Obama calling for the firing of the DEA head.

“Through his statements, Mr. Rosenberg has demonstrated he is not the right person to hold the job as the head of the DEA and we urge you to find new leadership that can work to develop the right tools to properly rationalize our treatment of marijuana,” said the letter, signed by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Jim McDermott (D-Wash.).

Read more about this story at The Huffington Post “Medical Marijuana Patients To DEA Chief: Pot Is No ‘Joke,’ And You Should Be Fired.”

Sydney Robinson is a political writer for the Ring of Fire Network. She has also appeared in political news videos for Ring of Fire. Sydney has a degree in English Literature from the University of West Florida, and has an active interest in politics, social justice, and environmental issues. She would love to hear from you on Twitter
@SydneyMkay or via email at srobinson@ringoffireradio.com